ArHi SS: Tohe Piya Milenge *Complete* - Page 5

Khushi stumbled back, recoiling from her own room in disgust. Pressing her lips together in an attempt to stop herself from sobbing, she turned around and fled from there as soon as possible.

She saw the look in Lavanya's eyes. A look that spoke of pure love and longing.

She turned away before she could take a second glance at Arnav. She knew that she won't be able to bear seeing him in love with a girl other than her.

Tears trickled down from her face as she ran, closing her palm over her mouth to not make any noise. When does she go wrong and misinterpret the look in Arnav's eyes?

Typing a message quickly on her phone, she sent it to the host asking him to delay her performance a bit. Turning around, she entered in the dressing room requesting everyone else to go out.

She needed few minutes alone.

Twenty minutes later, Khushi emerged out of the dressing room and reached at the backstage dressed in a peach-red lehenga, sequined with large motifs and stones at the border. Her face didn't reveal anything as she let her gaze roam on the peoples seated to watch the sangeet ceremony.

After all, this wasn't the first time her hopes and dreams had been broken. She had ample practice of falling down from the sky whenever she wanted to fly high and touch that beautiful cloud of happiness she always stared at.

If Khushi Gupta knew something very well, it was the art of picking herself up after a fall, a nasty-heart breaking fall.

She smiled as she saw her parents waving at her from their seat and bent down to wear her ghungroos.

Her fingers traced it as a decision formed in her mind. She will dance tonight like she never has.

Not even when she wanted to be a dancer.

She looked up and saw Arnav sitting with Lavanya at the front row, his mouth curved in a smirk as her eyes met his.

She looked away, knowing that nothing existed in that glance of his other than simple teasing and taunting.

Determined, she looked back at him, her eyes cold and steeled making him frown.

Khushi looked up as she walked to the middle of the stage, taking her position, looking ready for her solo performance.

She looked ahead as the lights flashed and starting note of the song started. She wanted to lose herself in this dance.

She didn't want to remember anything other than what she has learnt for 10 years-dance.

She twirled, swayed and danced with a grace that enchanted the audience. Every time her feet met the ground and her ghungroos tinkled, she started losing herself in its alluring music.

She moved on the stage with such flexibility, rhythm that left everyone wondering whether it was just a sangeet ceremony or a professional dancer's show.

Her feet started aching but she danced. Just for once.

This last time.

As the final notes of the song began, Khushi twirled around the stage mapping it in a perfect circle. How many times she moved, making the same circle again and again, everyone lost count.

As the song ended, Khushi dropped on the stage artfully taking deep breaths to normalize her breathing. She looked up now and met everyone's stunned gaze.

As everyone stood up to clap after seeing her memorable performance, she smiled getting up.

She had won again, against all the sacrifices.

Failing to notice the tear slipped from the corner of her eyes and meeting the ground. No one noticed it.

Except Arnav.

_________________________________________________________

It wasn't supposed to happen like that, Khushi thought as she looked up to see Raizadas now gathered in the living room of Gupta Mansion after all the guests left.

When the sangeet ceremony got over, she had expected that Raizadas will leave as well but they haven't. She hadn't missed the look passed between her parents and Anant and Poonam Raizada.

Her throat choked as the next moment Anant Raizada called out her name. Passing everyone a tight smile, she looked up and slipped her hand in Anant's hand which he had offered.

Anant Raizada had always been affectionate to her, treating her like his own daughter.

Her eyes misted as Anant steered her to the nearby chair, asking her to sit as he sat in front of her. She felt everyone gathering around her but she didn't have the courage to look up.

"Khushi beta, you know I have always considered you as my daughter. I am going to ask you something. Please answer me sincerely okay?" Anant whispered, looking down at Khushi.

Khushi furiously nodded her head.

Arnav who was standing just behind Khushi's chair, got tensed. He was hell nervous. No one knew that it was him who had asked his parents to bring this marriage proposal forward.

"Poonam and I, like you a lot. We wanted to ask you if you will marry my son, Arnav? We all think that you will be the perfect life partner for him." Anant spoke calmly, gauging Khushi's reaction with his every word.

Her face didn't show any surprise, like she knew about it. How is it possible? He had specifically asked Shashi and Garima to not talk to Khushi about it.

Everyone around them waiting anxiously, giving Khushi time to think.

They all expected Khushi to either agree for this proposal or ask for some time to take a decision. They all were flabbergasted as Khushi pulled her hand back and stood up.

"No." She whispered before running away, leaving everyone shocked.

________________________________________________________

Khushi ran to her room, cursing herself for hurting everyone with her decision. But what was she supposed to do?

Marry Arnav and spoil three lives at once? This isn't her and this is not a dream where everything will get normal at the end.

It's her bloody life.

She was so engrossed in her own dilemma that she didn't saw Arnav running behind her, looking livid with anger.

She gasped as someone gripped her upper arm and spun her around. Her eyes widened as they met Arnav's red eyes.

"What the hell was that Khushi Gupta?" Arnav bellowed, his face twisted in disapproval and rage.

Khushi didn't say anything and looked away, not answering. She cried out in pain as next moment Arnav grabbed her waist tightly, his nails digging on her soft flesh.

"Look at me dammit. You and I, both know that we are a perfect match. Then what's the problem? Why you said no?" Arnav asked furiously, every part of his body shaking in anger and hurt.

How does it feel when the girl you love a lot, crush your heart mercilessly after showing you the dream of being together?

"No you don't and I don't like you at all. It's all in your head, Arnav." Pressing her lips together, she pushed him away with the heel of her palms.

She turned to flew away from the scene when Arnav grabbed her hand and pulled her in his arms again. She struggled, trying to move away from him when he softly touched her cheek making her freeze.

She looked up. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw him leaning down towards her, staring intently at her quivering lips.

She saw how his eyes darkened with desire replacing every trace of hurt from them. She knew she wanted it too.

She closed her eyes, titling her face upwards when the image of Lavanya hugging Arnav flashed in front of her closed eyes.

Her eyes flew open and the next moment she pushed him away "NO!!!!"

Arnav stumbled back, the storm of hurt, rejection gathering in his eyes again. He ran his fingers through his hairs and walked forward like a predator setting out for his prey.

His mouth lifted in an arrogant smirk as he pointed his index finger at Khushi "One day you will come to me and will confess your love for me, Khushi. Mark my words. I won't force you or blackmail you. You will come to me on your will."

He turned, ready to leave when Khushi spoke again "Why are you doing all this?"

"Because Arnav Singh Raizada never takes no for answer." He replied arrogantly before walking away.

Feeling torn and shattered, Khushi turned around only to crash into Payal and break down in her soothing embrace.

So this is it for now. I know it's a bit confusing but I will explain everything I promise. And since my college started from today, I don't think I will be able to update frequently but I will try my best.

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Edit: I have removed 10-12 peoples from my buddy list. If i mistakenly removed any of my regular reader, do notify me

Aditi